Having Fun!
October 8, 2011
I hope you guys are having a nice weekend. We have been on the go all day! I thought I would share some of our fun…we are all exhausted but already have plans to get up and get going early tomorrow 
Can you guess where we went today–tee hee!
Sweepstakes Roundup – I Want A Vacation!
September 30, 2011
I am planning a long weekend trip for us and have been looking around a bit at travel destinations and such. Boy I could really use a big long vacation!! I figure maybe if I win one I will have an excuse to keep the kids out of school and make my husband use some of his vacation time. Here are a few ideas for us…I will cross my fingers for you guys if you will do the same for me There are so many out there…here are a few that sounded good to me!!
AARP & The Great Escape Sweepstakes – Enter for your chance to win a Royal Caribbean cruise to the destination of your choice! Don’t forget to play the instant win game – they give away Amazon Gift Cards Daily! This sweepstakes is sponsored by AARP; please do NOT enter if you are not in the US and aged 50+
Enter the Cheez-Its The Road Could Be Yours Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of FIVE Grand prizes that include: $4000 to rent an RV, $500 gift card and $500 gas card!!
Enter the Fisher Boy Family Fun Fridays for your chance to win a family vacation at one of Beaches Resorts worth $8,000 in value!
Enter the Frigo Cheese Heads Sweepstakes for your chance to win a Family Cruise Vacation Sweepstakes that includes a 7-night cruise for winner and three guests on one of select Royal Caribbean ships
Extreme Couponing At Publix?
September 28, 2011
Ok…unless you live under a rock you probably know that the TLC show “Extreme Couponing” is back in action tonight. I thought I would take a moment to remind you guys that what you see on that show is totally unrealistic…after all it is a TV show and by no means what most of us ever aspire to be!!
I don’t know about you guys but I am fairly confident my family could never use 100 bottles of mustard by the time it expired. Although I guess it might come in handy if you plan on doing a little painting–tee hee!
Most of us don’t eat the same things every single day of every single week. Variety is a great thing in life AND in couponing. While it may be fun to get that total down to just a few dollars, if what you have in your cart will not provide a good variety of meals for your family, can you really call it a deal??
Did you know that if you just shop the weekly sales in the Publix ad you can save about 50% without using one single coupon?! Being a smart shopper and learning to combine coupons with the sale is how you can get some incredible deals. But, a deal is only good if you actually use the products you buy.
I admit that I have watched the show twice and both times I had these feeling of extreme embarrassment for the folks on the show. While I may be a little loopy sometimes…overall I think I am one smart mama and certainly would not group myself in the same realm as the “Extreme Couponers”! I am able to save lots of money with only a little bit of effort. I don’t spend hours and hours clipping, sorting and making lists and I still manage to save massive quantities of money. I think I actually spend more time creating my meal plan than I do gathering my coupons!
I really wish they would put out a show titled “Real Life Couponing”. We could show them how only a little bit of effort can save you money and still allow you time to enjoy being with your family.
So spill it…are you guys watching it or boycotting it? :D
Publix Publications & Programs – Get Great Perks!
September 27, 2011
I get a couple of emails each week about how to get the various Publix booklets and publications that are offered. So I thought I would give you guys a reminder about how to get at least some of the Publix booklets and coupons delivered to your mailbox.
Publix has several clubs and programs you can sign up for and what is great is that they are totally FREE!
Publix Grape magazine – you will get the scoop on various wines, great recipes and sometimes the magazine includes a coupon or two.
Publix FamilyStyle magazine is a quarterly publication. It covers a broad range of topics and includes coupons. The mailed version typically includes a few couposn that are not available in the version available in the store.
Publix GreenWise Market magazine is filled with information, tips and great recipes related to living an organic lifestyle. This one also typically has a few nice coupons and is definitely worth requesting!
Publix Baby Club is one of my favorite programs. You get some fabulous coupons a great newsletter with some great tips and recipes. If you’re a first-time parent, you’ll receive the American Academy of Pediatrics’ complete guide to raising a child, “Caring for Your Baby and Young Child”—a $20 value.
Publix Preschool Pals program is for kids 2 -4. They send out newletters, fun activities, coupons and even little surprises for the kids.
Publix Pet Program is the newest addition. You get great info as well as emails with some great coupons just for your pets.
I would recommend signing up for all of these that apply to you. I have enjoyed my membership to each program. Don’t forget that Publix also participates in the Upromise program. It is also FREE to join. Just request a key card, go online to Upromise and register your card. Each month I let you know the latest eCoupons that you can load and then you shop as your normally would. When you scan your card at checkout and purchase a product that eCoupon amount is deposited into your account. Gotta love free money!
Each month Publix puts out a Yellow and Green Advantage Buy flyer. These list various monthly deals and usually include a few nice Publix coupons. To get a copy, check at your store where they keep the weekly ad or ask at the customer service desk. I always post the deals and coupon matchups for these each month. You can see the current flyers including the full list of coupons and matchups by clicking the Advantage Buy Flyer tab at the top of my site.
Now as far as the booklets that are reported here on the site. Those are often hit or miss. Your best bet is to ask at the customer service desk at your store once you see a report here on I Heart Publix. Sometimes booklets are regional and sometime the booklets tend to disappear very quickly. For those of us who live in an area with lots of other couponers, you can expect the booklets to vanish in no time flat. Many stores are helping to control this by keeping the booklets at the customer service desk. Personally I am all for this! I would rather get one than none at all. So keep your eyes peeled and maybe next time you shop, stop and ask if they happen to have any new booklets available.
Did I miss anything? I love all the perks to being a Publix shopper including all these free programs and publications!
I Heart Publix Forum Meet & Greet
September 23, 2011
Here is something fun for the weekend. It seems that the folks over on the I Heart Publix forum are having their second meet up this weekend in Orlando.
Ok–I am so jealous…I wish I could go! Head over to the I Heart Publix forum for all the details. If I could get my kids taken care of I would fly down and hang out too. Maybe we can look at throwing a little party soon–I would love to hang out and talk “shop” with a bunch of you guys 
If you are not hanging out at the forum, you are missing out on lots of fun and great deals!
Ok–Nannette I want to see some pics!! Thanks for the reminder Happy!!
The Dog Ate My Coupons…
September 14, 2011
How about a Wednesday pick me up?! Cammie sent in the picture of her daughter’s school project that she brought home today. Ah…the honestly of a child–tee hee!
If you can’t make out the wording…here is what she wrote: I am excited about this school year because now I don’t have to go shopping with my mom because she coupons.
I think that deserves an A+.
Are You Throwing Away Money?
September 6, 2011
I was thumbing through the Parade magazine in hopes that there were some hidden coupons and stumbled upon an article about how Americans throw away a HUGE amount of food each week! It made me think about some of the emails, questions and comments I get from readers about my shopping habits.
In the article, they state that an estimated 40% of the food grown and produced in the U.S. ends up getting tossed. That is absolutely crazy if you ask me. While it is wasteful, it is also very sad when you consider how many folks out there are struggling just to feed their families.
That wasted food is also wasted money. I doubt many of us would happily toss a $20 bill in the trash can without a second thought. If you find yourself throwing out food on a regular basis, you ARE tossing cash in the trash!
We have talked before about the importance of meal planning to save money. Being able to take inventory of what you have on hand BEFORE you shop will make sure you don’t buy something you already have. Doing this means you are sure to buy only what you need, saving you time and money!
Only buy the amount you will use before it expires! I shopped with a friend a while back and as she grabbed a large bunch of asparagus she made the comment…”I really don’t need this much, I wish they sold in in smaller bunches”. I kinda laughed at her and said–”So… just get what you need and put the others back!” She was astonished to realize that she did not have to buy the entire bunch. She did not realize that produce that is sold by the pound/item can be purchased in amounts as small or as large as you might need. Now items that are prepackaged can’t be purchased individually unless your store will “break” the package for you.
Another great way to ensure that you are not throwing away food is to make sure you use what you buy. If you have a recipe that requires a specific item, look for ways to make sure you use that item for some other meal during the week. Here at my house a large head of broccoli can be spread over 3 different meals. I can use it different ways so that no one gets tired of it…in soup, as a side dish and as part of a recipe.
Consider taking a week off from shopping. I know that may sound crazy but if you make yourself use what is in your pantry, fridge and freezer you will ensure that nothing goes to waste. The added bonus is a week’s worth of money back in your pocket.
If you find that you purchased too much of a perishable item then freeze it! Many veggies can be parboiled and frozen–think of all the bags of veggies you buy! You can freeze fruits to use at a later time. Another idea is to cook up that food, freeze it and you have dinner ready for another night when you are short on time. Overripe bananas make for great muffins–bake up a batch and freeze for a quick and easy breakfast on school days in just minutes! Get creative with those foods before you think about tossing them!
Those are some of the ways I make sure to get the most bang from my buck, stretch my budget as far as possible and not waste my hard earned money! I know you guys have lots of other ideas! I would love to hear other ideas! Leave them in the comments so everyone can benefit!!
Publix Couponer In The Making
August 28, 2011
Evi sent me this picture of her little Publix shopper. How cute is she?? Check it out, she even has her coupons ready!
I hope you guys are having a great weekend!!
Time To Vent- Let’s Hear Your Coupon Horror Stories!
August 20, 2011
Over the past few weeks I have received a massive amount of emails from folks expressing frustration about finding cleared shelves and in many cases giving me examples of flat out rudeness by other couponers.
My buddy Katie and I were chatting on Skype last night and she told me a story about witnessing two couponers get into a fight over a tearpad. Apparently one of the couponers was escorted out of the store and before she made it out–she threw her shoe at the other lady!!
What is going on?! Part of me wants to laugh at this craziness but the other part of me is sad that people are being so unkind to each other.
I am not one to tell other folks what to do. I am a momma to two boys who keep me very busy just trying to keep them in line –tee hee! So, while I am not going to jump up on my soapbox I am going to open up this post for you guys to get it all out!
Let’s hear the stories of what you have seen and experienced. I want you guys to tell your stories or even just vent. I know this will not solve the issue but knowing that you are not alone might help. This might also be a nice way to let folks who may not be aware of what they are doing know that they are causing so much frustration for others?!
Bring it on guys…maybe we will even get a good laugh. A scene from the movie Austin Powers keeping coming to my head…”Who throws a shoe…honestly?” Tee hee
Publix Recall: Fresh & Value Added Ground Chuck and Ground Chuck Products
August 15, 2011
I have received several emails about a Publix recall put out on 8/13, so I thought I would share so you guys can check to make sure you don’t have the product(s).
Publix Super Markets is issuing a voluntary recall for assorted varieties of products that contain ground chuck because it may be adulterated with E. coli O157:H7
Head over to the Publix site to see the affected foods including the UPC code so you can check your products.
Thanks Michelle, dwagner, Bev & Tricia
